Obesity: Genetics or Bad Haibts?

I was reading the thread, 1035 man, and it got brought up that obesity is from genetics. I disagree with this. I don't think it's a disease or bad genes. I think that a person becomes obese from their choices. If people in there family are large, than they have taught their children poor eating habits, hence the family run obesity. There may be actual diseases that can contribute to gaining more weight, but IMO, it's because you are choosing to eat crap and gain weight as a result.

What are your thoughts and opinions?

*There is a *very small* populace, that has actual medical problems, that cause them to gain more, not lose weight easily, etc.

(sorry if this is another "weight" thread, I haven't been on much, but was curious to see your thoughts)

I was reading the thread, 1035 man, and it got brought up that obesity is from genetics. I disagree with this. I don't think it's a disease or bad genes. I think that a person becomes obese from their choices. If people in there family are large, than they have taught their children poor eating habits, hence the family run obesity. There may be actual diseases that can contribute to gaining more weight, but IMO, it's because you are choosing to eat crap and gain weight as a result.

What are your thoughts and opinions?

*There is a *very small* populace, that has actual medical problems, that cause them to gain more, not lose weight easily, etc.

(sorry if this is another "weight" thread, I haven't been on much, but was curious to see your thoughts)

I disagree to an extent. Yes, poor choices absolutely have a huge role in obesity. However, there are multiple variables... Here's a prime example...

An overweight mother, a mother who gains too much weight in pregnancy, or a mother who has gestational diabetes usually have babies with larger fat cells than those women who are not overweight of have GD.

While these larger fat cells don't play an important role in infancy, they can become a problem during early childhood up until death.

The larger fat cells means gaining weight at a much more rapid pace than a person with normal sized fat cells. Therefore, the chance for obesity is much, much greater.

Obviously, dietary and physical activity choices will play a key role in said person staying at a healthy weight, but they are still at a higher risk than an average person.

I disagree to an extent. Yes, poor choices absolutely have a huge role in obesity. However, there are multiple variables... Here's a prime example...

An overweight mother, a mother who gains too much weight in pregnancy, or a mother who has gestational diabetes usually have babies with larger fat cells than those women who are not overweight of have GD.

While these larger fat cells don't play an important role in infancy, they can become a problem during early childhood up until death.

The larger fat cells means gaining weight at a much more rapid pace than a person with normal sized fat cells. Therefore, the chance for obesity is much, much greater.

Obviously, dietary and physical activity choices will play a key role in said person staying at a healthy weight, but they are still at a higher risk than an average person.

I think it's both. I've never paid attention to what I ate and have been thin my entire life. I gained 70 pounds when I was pregnant and lost it effortlessly. My mom was the same way. If you're genetically predisposed to obesity, having healthy eating habits will likely combat that, while unhealthy habits won't.

I think it's both. I've never paid attention to what I ate and have been thin my entire life. I gained 70 pounds when I was pregnant and lost it effortlessly. My mom was the same way. If you're genetically predisposed to obesity, having healthy eating habits will likely combat that, while unhealthy habits won't.

I do believe that some may be predisposed to genes, that are worse than others. However, I do think, if you are known to have "bad" genes, then you need to work twice as hard as someone who doesn't. It's just your challenge in life and it sucks.

I do believe that some may be predisposed to genes, that are worse than others. However, I do think, if you are known to have "bad" genes, then you need to work twice as hard as someone who doesn't. It's just your challenge in life and it sucks.

You can genetically be predisposed to slower metabolism, but the fact remains that calories= fat. No calorie intake, no fat. Too high intake, fat. People on normal 2,000 calorie diets don't just get obese.

You can genetically be predisposed to slower metabolism, but the fact remains that calories= fat. No calorie intake, no fat. Too high intake, fat. People on normal 2,000 calorie diets don't just get obese.

What pregnancy complications are associated with obesity?
Women who are obese are at increased risk for a number of pregnancy complications, including (3):
Infertility (which sometimes resolves with weight loss)
Miscarriage
High blood pressure and preeclampsia (a pregnancy-related form of high blood pressure that can pose serious risks for mother and baby)
Gestational diabetes
Complications during labor and birth complications, including cesarean birth
Birth of large-for-gestational-age (birthweight above the 90th percentile) infants
Obesity does not appear to increase the risk of preterm labor (labor before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy), which often results in premature birth (birth before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy) (4). However, obesity does increase the risk of pregnancy complications, such as preeclampsia, that sometimes make it necessary to deliver the baby before term. Premature babies are at increased risk of newborn health problems and lasting disabilities.
Does obesity in pregnancy pose a risk to the baby?
Most babies of obese women are healthy. However, obesity during pregnancy can increase the risk of a number of complications in the fetus and newborn. These risks include (3, 4, 5):
Stillbirth
Birth defects [Babies of obese mothers are about twice as likely as women of average weight to have a baby with spina bifida or other neural tube defect (NTD)(6). NTDs are birth defects of the brain and spinal cord. These babies also are at slightly increased risk for other birth defects including heart, abdominal wall and limb defects (6, 7). It is not known why obese women are at increased risk of having a baby with birth defects.]
Premature birth due to medical complications
Birth injury due to babyâ€™s large size
Newborn death
Childhood obesity;::: This is from the march of dimes website , there are so many more studies and information that states that if a woman is obses during pregnancy that the child is twice as likey to be obese themselves . I'll see what else I can find.

What pregnancy complications are associated with obesity?
Women who are obese are at increased risk for a number of pregnancy complications, including (3):
Infertility (which sometimes resolves with weight loss)
Miscarriage
High blood pressure and preeclampsia (a pregnancy-related form of high blood pressure that can pose serious risks for mother and baby)
Gestational diabetes
Complications during labor and birth complications, including cesarean birth
Birth of large-for-gestational-age (birthweight above the 90th percentile) infants
Obesity does not appear to increase the risk of preterm labor (labor before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy), which often results in premature birth (birth before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy) (4). However, obesity does increase the risk of pregnancy complications, such as preeclampsia, that sometimes make it necessary to deliver the baby before term. Premature babies are at increased risk of newborn health problems and lasting disabilities.
Does obesity in pregnancy pose a risk to the baby?
Most babies of obese women are healthy. However, obesity during pregnancy can increase the risk of a number of complications in the fetus and newborn. These risks include (3, 4, 5):
Stillbirth
Birth defects [Babies of obese mothers are about twice as likely as women of average weight to have a baby with spina bifida or other neural tube defect (NTD)(6). NTDs are birth defects of the brain and spinal cord. These babies also are at slightly increased risk for other birth defects including heart, abdominal wall and limb defects (6, 7). It is not known why obese women are at increased risk of having a baby with birth defects.]
Premature birth due to medical complications
Birth injury due to babyâ€™s large size
Newborn death
Childhood obesity;::: This is from the march of dimes website , there are so many more studies and information that states that if a woman is obses during pregnancy that the child is twice as likey to be obese themselves . I'll see what else I can find.

Our society and our way of life has more to do with obesity than genes. We don't move enough and we eat crap. I don't think it's that people eat too much crap- it's that they're uneducated about the crap they eat and how to balance calories. Most don't have time to eat well and exercise so they buy fast and cheap options.

Our society and our way of life has more to do with obesity than genes. We don't move enough and we eat crap. I don't think it's that people eat too much crap- it's that they're uneducated about the crap they eat and how to balance calories. Most don't have time to eat well and exercise so they buy fast and cheap options.

I posted this in the other thread but alot of people make the connection between obesity and genetics because multiple members of a family are over weight. In reality, we build our permanent fat cells in the first few years of our lives. we also pick up bad eating habits from loved ones. combine these together and you get a baby who loves to eat because mommy, daddy and aunty do. that baby will now struggle the rest of their life to loose weight, sometimes giving up and continuing to eat crap only to have their children see them doing so and causing the vicous cycle to continue.

I posted this in the other thread but alot of people make the connection between obesity and genetics because multiple members of a family are over weight. In reality, we build our permanent fat cells in the first few years of our lives. we also pick up bad eating habits from loved ones. combine these together and you get a baby who loves to eat because mommy, daddy and aunty do. that baby will now struggle the rest of their life to loose weight, sometimes giving up and continuing to eat crap only to have their children see them doing so and causing the vicous cycle to continue.

From hive live media.. The study, which is going to be released at The Endocrine Societyâ€™s 93rd Annual Meeting in Boston, suggests that when women carry too much weight during their pregnancy give birth to babies that are overweight. This trend of being overweight will also carry on through their life.
This study does shed some light on what is contributing to the growing number of obese children in the country. However, this study only looked at one factor of the obese factor. It did not take into account the gestational diabetes as a factor. Only women who did not have diabetes while pregnant were factored into the study as gestational diabetes is already a known cause of childhood obesity.
The study focused around two different groups of women. In one study group, 31 women stayed within the recommended weight restrictions for pregnancy. In the other group, 25 women exceeded these limits and gained more than the recommended weight. Some of these women were already obese according to their weight and height. Each of the women who gained too much weight during their pregnancy gave birth to babies that were overweight as newborns.

From hive live media.. The study, which is going to be released at The Endocrine Societyâ€™s 93rd Annual Meeting in Boston, suggests that when women carry too much weight during their pregnancy give birth to babies that are overweight. This trend of being overweight will also carry on through their life.
This study does shed some light on what is contributing to the growing number of obese children in the country. However, this study only looked at one factor of the obese factor. It did not take into account the gestational diabetes as a factor. Only women who did not have diabetes while pregnant were factored into the study as gestational diabetes is already a known cause of childhood obesity.
The study focused around two different groups of women. In one study group, 31 women stayed within the recommended weight restrictions for pregnancy. In the other group, 25 women exceeded these limits and gained more than the recommended weight. Some of these women were already obese according to their weight and height. Each of the women who gained too much weight during their pregnancy gave birth to babies that were overweight as newborns.

this is true. another example of why: I have five sisters and one brother. The 6 oldest siblings all are or were stick thin through the whole lives (until we had babies which cause my older sister and me to be a little overweight, but if we try and diet it would fall off easily). All of us played outside, did sports and never sat in front of the tv. People used to say "you tansey girls have such good genes, I wish I was a Tansey so I could be skinny." But, The youngest of us is 11 and already in a size six adult. She never ever pl?ays outside unless its to tan, she eats crap all day, and she sits in front of the computer or tv 24/7. If we had good genes, it would have been easy for my sister to stay petite. saldy society and technology has made her lazy and therefore overweight.

this is true. another example of why: I have five sisters and one brother. The 6 oldest siblings all are or were stick thin through the whole lives (until we had babies which cause my older sister and me to be a little overweight, but if we try and diet it would fall off easily). All of us played outside, did sports and never sat in front of the tv. People used to say "you tansey girls have such good genes, I wish I was a Tansey so I could be skinny." But, The youngest of us is 11 and already in a size six adult. She never ever pl?ays outside unless its to tan, she eats crap all day, and she sits in front of the computer or tv 24/7. If we had good genes, it would have been easy for my sister to stay petite. saldy society and technology has made her lazy and therefore overweight.

I think both I beleive if mum is overweight during pregnancy she is more likely to have a baby born larger and if if it is normal weight we still aren't completly sure of any other diseases that might have been caused by this. We know it's better to stay within healthy weight range for mum and baby so that's what I would be aiming for. But I also beleive a families eating habits and lifestlye play into it as well. I beleive being a healthy weight during pregnancy and living a healthy lifestyle when pregnant and after can only be the best for you you and your baby.

I think both I beleive if mum is overweight during pregnancy she is more likely to have a baby born larger and if if it is normal weight we still aren't completly sure of any other diseases that might have been caused by this. We know it's better to stay within healthy weight range for mum and baby so that's what I would be aiming for. But I also beleive a families eating habits and lifestlye play into it as well. I beleive being a healthy weight during pregnancy and living a healthy lifestyle when pregnant and after can only be the best for you you and your baby.

I think a bit of both.I used to think for the most part it was just choices, and people that were overweight were just lazy or didn't eat right.Then i got a wake up call. I got diagnosed with hypothyroidism a few months ago. I was still 10 lbs overweight after having my son, then i gained another 15 to put me almost at my pregnancy weight at 39 weeks. I wasn't eating different and was working out a lot harder than usual.Once i started my medication, about a month or two later i lost the 25 lbs (again doing nothing different as far as eating, and actually not working out at all because i was too tired (from the hypothyroidism)). Although i heard im lucky because most people with hypothyroidism even once on medication have a really hard time losing weight. Plus they don't get diagnosed right away and gain a lot more weight, some 70lbs. So it can definitely be health related.Then there are also the people who lose tons of weight once they started working out and eating right.

I think a bit of both.I used to think for the most part it was just choices, and people that were overweight were just lazy or didn't eat right.Then i got a wake up call. I got diagnosed with hypothyroidism a few months ago. I was still 10 lbs overweight after having my son, then i gained another 15 to put me almost at my pregnancy weight at 39 weeks. I wasn't eating different and was working out a lot harder than usual.Once i started my medication, about a month or two later i lost the 25 lbs (again doing nothing different as far as eating, and actually not working out at all because i was too tired (from the hypothyroidism)). Although i heard im lucky because most people with hypothyroidism even once on medication have a really hard time losing weight. Plus they don't get diagnosed right away and gain a lot more weight, some 70lbs. So it can definitely be health related.Then there are also the people who lose tons of weight once they started working out and eating right.

I was going to say both but my gut tells me that genetics lead to weight issues. I think bad habits make them worse and people who have genetic predisposition to weight issues maybe feel that they can eat like the average person and not gain weight.

I know that diabetes runs in my family so I can assure you that I have done everything in my power not to get it. Well, pregnancy lead to GD and I am pretty sure I still have a problem with my insulin levels.

My husband's father died of a heart attack and I know my husband eats healthy, exercises, but still ended up needing meds. He's retired military so he really stayed in shape to pass his physicals and ensure that he had excellent scores, etc.

SO maybe obesity is a which came first the chicken or the egg type thing. I don't think one can expect to eat 3 and 4 cheeseburgers or whole pizzas and tubs of ice cream and stay at a healthy weight.

I was going to say both but my gut tells me that genetics lead to weight issues. I think bad habits make them worse and people who have genetic predisposition to weight issues maybe feel that they can eat like the average person and not gain weight.

I know that diabetes runs in my family so I can assure you that I have done everything in my power not to get it. Well, pregnancy lead to GD and I am pretty sure I still have a problem with my insulin levels.

My husband's father died of a heart attack and I know my husband eats healthy, exercises, but still ended up needing meds. He's retired military so he really stayed in shape to pass his physicals and ensure that he had excellent scores, etc.

SO maybe obesity is a which came first the chicken or the egg type thing. I don't think one can expect to eat 3 and 4 cheeseburgers or whole pizzas and tubs of ice cream and stay at a healthy weight.

I was going to say both but my gut tells me that genetics lead to weight issues. I think bad habits make them worse and people who have genetic predisposition to weight issues maybe feel that they can eat like the average person and not gain weight.

I know that diabetes runs in my family so I can assure you that I have done everything in my power not to get it. Well, pregnancy lead to GD and I am pretty sure I still have a problem with my insulin levels.

My husband's father died of a heart attack and I know my husband eats healthy, exercises, but still ended up needing meds. He's retired military so he really stayed in shape to pass his physicals and ensure that he had excellent scores, etc.

SO maybe obesity is a which came first the chicken or the egg type thing. I don't think one can expect to eat 3 and 4 cheeseburgers or whole pizzas and tubs of ice cream and stay at a healthy weight.

I was going to say both but my gut tells me that genetics lead to weight issues. I think bad habits make them worse and people who have genetic predisposition to weight issues maybe feel that they can eat like the average person and not gain weight.

I know that diabetes runs in my family so I can assure you that I have done everything in my power not to get it. Well, pregnancy lead to GD and I am pretty sure I still have a problem with my insulin levels.

My husband's father died of a heart attack and I know my husband eats healthy, exercises, but still ended up needing meds. He's retired military so he really stayed in shape to pass his physicals and ensure that he had excellent scores, etc.

SO maybe obesity is a which came first the chicken or the egg type thing. I don't think one can expect to eat 3 and 4 cheeseburgers or whole pizzas and tubs of ice cream and stay at a healthy weight.

Being obese during pregnancy, is not the only reason there are obese children. The moms are obese to begin with, because of their bad choices. Period. 50 years ago, these mother's, mom's and grandmother's, weren't obese and yet they ended up that way.

I believe, and I may be way off, that *some* of these studies are done to fit a scenario. ie; There are thousands and thousands of obese people now, and everyone wants an answer why. It's not PC to say, it's because you eat like crap and don't exercise...

Being obese during pregnancy, is not the only reason there are obese children. The moms are obese to begin with, because of their bad choices. Period. 50 years ago, these mother's, mom's and grandmother's, weren't obese and yet they ended up that way.

I believe, and I may be way off, that *some* of these studies are done to fit a scenario. ie; There are thousands and thousands of obese people now, and everyone wants an answer why. It's not PC to say, it's because you eat like crap and don't exercise...

Your diagnosis, is just that, a logical problem, that can be diagnosed and a solution set forth, to fix the issue. IMO, there are way to many people using their "health", as an excuse for their weight and you are not one of them.

I am sorry that you have to deal with that. I can't imagine how hard that would be. Good luck and I hope that you are able to stay on top of it.

Your diagnosis, is just that, a logical problem, that can be diagnosed and a solution set forth, to fix the issue. IMO, there are way to many people using their "health", as an excuse for their weight and you are not one of them.

I am sorry that you have to deal with that. I can't imagine how hard that would be. Good luck and I hope that you are able to stay on top of it.

I believe obesity has a great deal to do with bad habits. Obviously, there are health conditions and medications that can cause excessive weight gain, but I don't think these factors account for the huge rise in obesity rates among adults and children. People are increasingly sedentary, portion sizes are totally out of whack, and diets are not well balanced. I read and heard that this generation of children will have a lower life expectancy than the previous one, due to poor lifestyles.

I believe obesity has a great deal to do with bad habits. Obviously, there are health conditions and medications that can cause excessive weight gain, but I don't think these factors account for the huge rise in obesity rates among adults and children. People are increasingly sedentary, portion sizes are totally out of whack, and diets are not well balanced. I read and heard that this generation of children will have a lower life expectancy than the previous one, due to poor lifestyles.

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